The sacrifice of the Church

The whole Church is united with the offering and intercession of Christ, writes Cathal Barry

The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different.

“And since in this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner… this sacrifice is truly propitiatory” (Council of Trent).  

The Eucharist, according to the Catechism, is also the sacrifice of the Church.  “The Church which is the Body of Christ participates in the offering of her Head,” the key teaching document states.

“With him, she herself is offered whole and entire. She unites herself to his intercession with the Father for all men. In the Eucharist the sacrifice of Christ becomes also the sacrifice of the members of his Body. The lives of the faithful, their praise, sufferings, prayer, and work, are united with those of Christ and with his total offering, and so acquire a new value. Christ’s sacrifice present on the altar makes it possible for all generations of Christians to be united with his offering,” the Catechism states.

The document notes that in the catacombs the Church is often represented as a woman in prayer, arms outstretched in the praying position. “Like Christ who stretched out his arms on the cross, through him, with him, and in him, she offers herself and intercedes for all men.” 

The Catechism states that “the whole Church is united with the offering and intercession of Christ”. 

Since he has the ministry of Peter in the Church, the Pope is associated with every celebration of the Eucharist, wherein he is named as the sign and servant of the unity of the universal Church. 

The bishop of the place is always responsible for the Eucharist, even when a priest presides; the bishop’s name is mentioned to signify his presidency over the particular Church, in the midst of his presbyterium and with the assistance of deacons. 

Community

The community intercedes also for all ministers who, for it and with it, offer the Eucharistic sacrifice.

The Church teaches that to the offering of Christ is united not only the members still here on Earth, but also those already in the glory of Heaven. 

“In communion with and commemorating the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, the Church offers the Eucharistic sacrifice,” the Catechism states. “In the Eucharist the Church is as it were at the foot of the cross with Mary, united with the offering and intercession of Christ.”

The Church teaches that the Eucharistic sacrifice is also offered for the faithful departed who “have died in Christ but are not yet wholly purified” so that they may be able to enter into the light and peace of Christ.